Whether you’re down to create Alexa skills or interested in digging deep with ‘bots, I’ve got some free stuff to share with you.

First up, Amazon recently announced a program to extend free AWS credits to Alexa skill developers: a move they hope will inspire developers work on more complex skills of the types that might otherwise incur database or usage charges. From Amazon:

We’re happy to announce a new program that makes it free for you to build and host most Alexa skills using Amazon Web Services by offering AWS promotional credits to eligible developers. This program gives you access to the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform to create and scale engaging skills for Alexa.

Now, developers with a published Alexa skill can apply to receive AWS promotional credits to be used toward AWS usage fees associated with their skill. All qualifying developers will receive a $100 AWS promotional credit to start, and can earn an additional $100 per month in AWS promotional credits when their skill incurs AWS usage charges – making it free for developers to build and host most Alexa skills.

Next, it’s something for the ‘bot developers…Regina O’Connor of Dashbot has kindly extended a discount to Love My Echo readers who are interested in attending Superbot 2017 on 5/9/17 in San Francisco. Note that I don’t receive any kind of commission for sharing this link or any part of the proceeds from sign-ups, this is just me doing a solid for my fellow devs. From Regina:

Hello Love My Echo Fans,
We are very excited to invite you to attend SuperBot 2017. SuperBot 2017 will be a gathering of innovators and inventors. This event is not to be missed if you have an interest in ChatBots. In recognition of the essential part that Love My Echo plays in this arena we would like to offer a special discount of 20% for tickets please use the code “Lovemyecho” to access this special rate. If you are interested in presenting or demonstrating your bot please contact superbotconf@dashbot.io.

Need a high-capacity, HD-capable memory card to hold all the action video you’ll be shooting this spring and summer? The PNY U3 PRO Elite MicroSDXC Card – 64GB(Amazon UK customers, click here for a UK alternative from Amplim) is optimized for the speed and resolution demands of HD video. Waterproof, magnet proof, shock proof, x-ray proof, and able to withstand temperature extremes, this card has a 64GB capacity. Currently (as of 3/20/17) priced at $40.50.

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International Alexa Sites

“Alexa, enable Daily Health Tip” for small, better choices you make for just one day to improve your health. It’s hard to change all your habits at once and forever, but you can definitely change one thing for one day!

Echo Show & Spot owners: “Alexa, enable Visual Tarot” for a high-quality Tarot card reading and encyclopedia skill that was 6 months in the making!

Echo Show owners: ask Alexa to enable Cartoon Player” for a library of 17 family-friendly classics.

Add Easter Egg Daily to your Flash Briefing to get a different Alexa Easter egg every day of the year!